We won’t allow coup in Nigeria, CDS assures

The National Security Council meeting summoned by President Bola on Monday with assurance from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who ruled out any possibility of coup against the government.

According to him, the meeting briefed the president on the security situation in the country amidst nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance.

“Nigeria is a sovereign nation, Nigeria is a democratic nation all security agencies are here to defend democracy and ensure that democracy continues to thrive.

“We will not accept anyone pushing or taking any action, seemingly or for whatever reason to want to push for any change of government. Democracy is what we stand for, democracy is what we will continue to defend,” he added.

Musa who briefed State House correspondents after the meeting, said that would unearth those behind the use of Russian flag by some protesters, and tried in court for treason.

“We went to brief Mr President on the situation on ground and we know that since the riot (protest) started, all the security agencies are together.

“Initially, when the riot (protest) started they said it was a peaceful riot but we have realised that there are individuals that are willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem. And we can see clearly what has happened since it has commenced. Criminals have taken over, a lot of looting taking place, stealing and all sorts of things are happening.

“Besides, all of us have seen it where foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that is totally unacceptable.

“We are warning in clear terms and the President has also said we should convey this, that we will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria.

“That is treasonable offence, and it will be viewed and treated as such. So nobody should allow himself to be used by any individual.”

General Musa noted that most of those flying the flags were children, as such the security agencies will go after those pushing them to do so.

“For those of them flying flags, if you’ll see, a lot of them are kids being pushed to do that, we’re following up with those sponsoring them. Those who are pushing them because you know, flags were also made. We have identified those areas and we are going to take serious action against that. The President is clear on his instructions for us not to accept anyone that wants to disrupt the peace and tranquility of Nigeria.

“We are all standing here together to show Nigerians that we’re working closely, we are working together with synergy to ensure that there’s peace and tranquility in Nigeria. That, we have assured Mr. President.”

He dismissed insinuation that some soldiers partook in the looting in some states.

“It was also a misconception. They actually have seen those things and they wanted to clear them away from the area and that’s what was done.

“We have investigated thoroughly, the Chief of Army Staff is here, we have investigated thoroughly and there is nothing like such. No member of the Armed Forces fell into doing that.”

Among the security chiefs were all the service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Director-General, Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, Director-General National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai, Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, anc Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap.